MEXICO CITY (Interstat) — The Mexico City Capitanes used a dominant second quarter to seize control and never looked back, cruising to a 122-97 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in a G League contest Tuesday night at Estadio Azteca.

The game’s decisive stretch came in the second period, where the Capitanes outscored the Vipers 36-19, transforming a competitive first quarter into a commanding lead. After Rio Grande Valley’s high-octane offense produced 36 points in the opening frame to hold a slim 36-25 advantage, Mexico City’s defense stiffened and its ball movement ignited. The Capitanes opened the second quarter on a 14-2 run, spearheaded by RJ Melendez and James Bouknight, to take a lead they would not relinquish.

Mexico City’s depth and ball security proved overwhelming. The Capitanes forced 24 Vipers turnovers, converting them into 33 points, while committing only 13 turnovers of their own. A balanced scoring attack saw eight Capitanes players score in double figures, led by the playmaking of point guard Ahmad Caver and the efficient inside presence of Melendez. The Vipers, who entered the game having won two straight, saw their offense stagnate after the first quarter, managing just 61 points over the final three periods.

Rio Grande Valley’s Tristen Newton and Daishen Nix combined for early scoring bursts to build the first-quarter lead, but the team struggled to find consistent offense thereafter. The Vipers shot under 40 percent from the floor for the game, while Mexico City connected on over half of its field goal attempts.

The win improved Mexico City’s season record to 14-10, solidifying its position in the Western Conference. The loss dropped Rio Grande Valley to 12-11. The two teams are scheduled for a quick rematch Wednesday night at the same venue.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably Mexico City’s second-quarter surge. After weathering an early storm from the Vipers’ hot shooting, the Capitanes tightened their defense, increased their pace, and executed with precision on offense. This 12-minute stretch, where they outscored Rio Grande Valley by 17 points, effectively decided the contest by halftime, as the Vipers were unable to mount a significant challenge in the second half. The period showcased Mexico City’s superior depth and adaptability, turning a deficit into a double-digit lead from which the Vipers could not recover.